Thanks for dropping by & I hope you get the big picture of the way it works for me.
I really hope you like my music.

The process has actually a couple of pathways. It always begins with some improvisational idea I keep returning to, either on guitar or keyboards. Some ideas start on one instrument and move to another, sometimes with a huge stylistic change like time or key signature, tempo or mood. Usually when I find the kernel of what I want to keep, I will commit it to the sequencer with keyboard sounds. Having an identity set, I will then embellish the idea, adding parts, altering the melody, modulate, create a bridge, whatever the piece might inspire me to move on. I don't write lyrics so I don't start with poetry and I don't dance so I can eliminate any disco distraction. I have no political agenda and I'm not trying to sell the latest thing.

I never had a multi-track recording approach. Sequencing is different, in it's almost limtless abililty to re-edit, mathematically alter structure, reassign the actual sounds and create a new approach within moments. Half of the ideas presented hear have been given addtional work and atttention since the rough draft was recorded direct to DAT. I will always have this ability to work on my art, and I can hear the refining in the details that get added over time.

Spontaniety is very much a part of my work, despite the analytical evaluation and deliberate creative effort. I sound kind confused, but think of a doodle you could go back over and create a old master out of.  Like crayons & construction paper, that over time becomes oil and canvas. Play-Dough into sculpture. 
Not all ideas are works in progress. The end classical guitar in "Postsript", for example, was 1 take. During my peak writing times, I will force myself to compose 16 bars of music during a session. I am bound to come up with something useful and it challenges my musical ability to be creative under some little pressure game for myself.

Everyone' creative process is different due to all of our unique personalities. For example, I cannot work on my own compositions while I am performing in a cover band. My ideas become stale and I borrow unwittingly from the music I am playing out with and I superimpose current "trendy" sounds, beats or textures & it no longer is me.

Lately, all of my original ideas have gone thru a consolidation process from the massive amounts of stuff I've written. I've go back in and start chopping things up, grafting common themes or texture or tone and started building things into a bigger idea.

I have a group of later Miles Davis fusion type of ideas that is in 5 sections and runs 25 minutes and a bunch of Asian textures I called "Shangri-La Suite" that are a group of litte soundtrack ideas with a common thread and timbre.

I hope you found this insightful. I think that putting the thoughts that accompany the emotion out in the open, helps the transmitter & the receivers.
Thanx - Mike A. 
  
 
 

So as the dominoes work themselves out....an agent contacted me directly from a message my wife sent via MySpace to his site. He booked Legacy sight, rather "heard", unseen based on conversation with me and the strength of our demo tunes. It was a no bullshit transaction. The irony of all this lies in this fact:  
One of the dates booked was originally one our ex-female vocalist lost due to a fight in the bar between her band & some patrons. This was a cyclic booking for them, & I feel vindicated it was offered to us. Instant Karma, you cheeky cow.

I recently had the experience of getting friend requests from individuals worldwide who seemingly have amazing careers & truly believe they are accomplished musicians.

After sampling their writing, listening to their wares & reading the tripe that accompanies it, I really feel a portion of the musical population here is full of bullshit & conjecture. I have been a working class musician all my life & have no delusions about it. I raised a family, bought a home, recorded & toured and have enjoyed an emotionally fulfilling life, based on a craft I enjoy... After all, we all work with our hands.

If you like what you do and you are proud, I applaud your confidence. If you are talented to boot, give thanks to those who inspired you. If you openly compare your ability to recognized world class talent, check your ego at the door.

To quote an obscure Alice Cooper intro "If you don't like what you hear, you have a choice, You can turn me off"